Can I lend my car to auto shop classes for repairs?

[DissFigured]

I have read a few forumns in here where this idea is mentioned of donating your car to a auto shop class at a local college for a semester. They teach people to do repairs, body work, paint etc.

You lend the car, they repair the problems. Is that BS? Or, is that really a legitimate thing to do to get some of your repaird done free or cheap. It seems that if this were possible, there would would be a line around the block for people to drop off their cars.

Anyway, I am in Dallas, and I am just poor enough that if it were possible to do such a thing, I would definately look into it for my 65. Has anyone done this before and if so, did it work out?

 

[Route666]

People are learning how to do the repairs on the car, don't expect a very good job - hence the lack of enthusiasm for it.

 

[gjz30075]

Keep in mind: you get what you pay for.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Lending my car to a body class is the LAST thing I would do with a car I cared about. The problem is the learning part, which means mistakes will be made and on your car. I know alot of people have lives that get in the way, but a good thing to do would be take a class and use your own car. Alot of people do that at our community college. There's a '65-66 notch sitting in there, actually.

 

[ozstang65]

A University friend of mine did that once. Got a really good job out of it. Personally, I probably wouldn't do it.

 

[Edbert]

I did it once, with my '97 Cobra. But my son was in the class that did the work and I made sure he was there the whole time. Most operations are closely supervised by a qualified person, my biggest concern was a joyride when they were moving it in/out of the garage

If you are talking about a high school shop class I'd say no. If you are talking about atechnical school like UTI then you should be okay. If it is a community college...close call.

If you are talking about your classic, do it yourself. These cars are SOOOO easy to work on there are only a few things I've farmed out and my skills are pure shade-tree level.

 

[jes72mustang]

I have actually been thinking about taking the classes myself. The county Technology Eduation (formerly Vo-Tech) offers continuing Ed classes for adults. I am currently finishing my college degree, but when I do I want to start some of these classes. The offer pretty much everything from basic mechanics to Basic Welding to Body work even ford certified auto technician classes.
I would offer my 72 up as a class project only if I was in the class and could keep tabs on everything that went on.

 

[mudbilly]

i looked into this awhile back and was told that most schools don't want to get into doing classics............not so much because they are classics, but because the people taking the classes are interested in learning a trade that they can use in the modern world........ .....so they need to teach the people how to fix new cars.......

 

[krash kendall]

When I was in high school we did take in "customer" cars along with some teacher's cars that had been damaged. A good instructor will insure that good product leaves the building, but you will be without your car for a much longer period of time than if you used an actual shop.

 

[iskwezm]

I have actually been thinking about taking the classes myself. The county Technology Eduation (formerly Vo-Tech) offers continuing Ed classes for adults. I am currently finishing my college degree, but when I do I want to start some of these classes. The offer pretty much everything from basic mechanics to Basic Welding to Body work even ford certified auto technician classes.
I would offer my 72 up as a class project only if I was in the class and could keep tabs on everything that went on.

I took all of those you mentioned,basic auto body,advanced,refinishing,welding and then when I was 19 I started the Ford ASSET program,certified in all areas and then became a master tech at 24,did it for a few years then got burned out,but I wont forget what I learned.

 

[Jester67]

Most if not all are at your own risk and they require you to sign a contract to the same. So if they kill it there is nothing you can do but pay more money to a professional to fix it.